'Playstation generation' have poor immune systems

Children who spend all day playing computer games and watching television are more likely to fall ill with infections and diseases, experts have warned.

It is feared a "Playstation generation" of youngsters, who rarely play outside, are missing out on building up their immune systems early in life.

On top of this, many parents are obsessed with keeping their offspring in a 'sterile bubble' - whereas it is actually crucial to their health to be exposed to some bacteria.

A survey, by ICM Research, found that six out of 10 people believe children should be protected from all bacteria.

But some parents fail to realise that constantly using anti-bacterial wipes, sprays and antibiotics could be doing more harm than good.

In some cases, the problems start before children are even born.

A baby is usually first exposed to immune-boosting bacteria in the birth canal, but the rise in Caesarean births means they could begin their lives with a poorly-developed immune system.

This is compounded for many more children by the decline in breast-feeding, as human milk also helps a baby's immune system develop.

Children are then shielded from bacteria by an over-use spray and wipes as they grow up.

The poll found that 73 per cent of people believe it is important to protect themselves against bacteria and bacterial infections with anti-bacterial products, while 42 per cent believe society's health would improve if all bacteria were eradicated.

Sixty-seven per cent also said they believe bacteria is dangerous.

But experts said the results indicate many people do not appear to understand that they can also be beneficial, and that life on earth would not exist without bacteria.

Professor Ken Jones, an immunologist at Cardiff School of Health Sciences, said "germ warfare" could prove damaging for children.

"With the huge media attention around dangerous bacteria such as MRSA, the marketing hype pushing total annihilation of bacteria via wipes or sprays, coupled with the dangerous reliance on antibiotics for almost any infection, there is a real concern that we are misunderstanding bacteria and the vital role some bacteria can play in our overall health and well-being and development of our young," he said.

"The Playstation generation no longer play outside with plenty of other kids as they used to. We live in smaller families and in less rural locations.

"All these factors mean children are less exposed to the variety of bacteria they used to be, which is crucial to the development of the immune system."

The immune system protects against commons coughs and colds as well as diseases and infections.

Separate new research today reveals that primary school children spend an average of seven hours and 46 minutes watching television - the equivalent to a whole school day.

They spend less time playing outside - seven hours and eight minutes - and just three hours and 51 minutes a week reading books.

Experts advised parents to encourage children to play outside with their friends, make sure they know the importance of washing their hands, and encourage them to eat plenty of fruit and vegetables.

They also suggested parents should strike a balance between 'cleanliness' and 'obsessiveness'.

There is a body of growing evidence that exposure to germs in the first few months of life helps children develop a healthy immune system and protects them against allergies.

A study conducted at Manitoba and McGill University in Montreal earlier this year revealed that giving babies antibiotics doubles their chances of suffering from asthma by their seventh birthday.

Prof Jones said he believed the use of antibiotics should be limited, especially within the first year of a child's life.

"There is a reason your doctor does not immediately prescribe antibiotics and you shouldn't pressurise them to do so," he said.

"If you or your children do have to take antibiotics, then it is important to restore the balance of good bacteria."